Perry Hall: Groundhog's prediction casts a shadow on our weather

As the last days of January go by, no snow has accumulated in the Perry Hall/Kingsville neighborhoods. While snow lovers and students yearn for sledding and days off from school, the rest of us quietly rejoice with the passing of each snowless day. I say "quietly" so as not to trigger a blizzard from Mother Nature! Despite the remaining threat of winter weather, we can hope for an early spring and look to Punxsutawney Phil for confirmation. "Groundhog's Day" takes place on Thurs, Feb 2 and the famous Pennsylvania groundhog will be ready at sunrise. According to Wikipedia, "The Groundhog Day celebration is rooted in a German superstition that says if a hibernating animal casts a shadow on Feb. 2 …winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow was seen, legend said spring would come early." So Phil will soon tell if we can get louder in our snowless exuberance. Since 1944, no gap exists in the record keeping of his predictions and Phil has not predicted an early spring two years in a row. Last year Phil predicted an early spring. If his trend continues, he will forecast six more weeks of winter in 2012. His seasonal forecasts have garnered the rodent a 39 percent accuracy rate.

Marshy Point Nature Center offers some groundhog fun to help you enjoy the rest of the winter no matter the weather. On Monday, Jan 30 from 11am till noon (Mondays Pre-K Nature Drop In), come to Groundhog Day — Introduce your little ones to nature's wonders while enjoying stories, crafts, games, songs, and outdoor activities together. On Sat, Feb 4 and Sun, Feb 5 from 2-4 p.m., the center holds," The Groundhog is a Lousy Weatherman" – Learn about, Gus, Punxsutawney, and whether "those dang woodchucks keep chucking that wood". Join a naturalist to find a burrow! Space is limited, so please register for all programs.

The nature center is located at 7130 Marshy Point Rd, 21220. For directions to the center, for more information or to register, call 410-887-2817. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Go to http://www.marshypoint.org for details and directions.

Dennis Robinson, president of the Perry Hall Improvement Association (PHIA), shared a statement he received from Councilman David Marks regarding the revitalization of the Perry Hall Square Shopping Center. "I am very pleased to announce that two businesses totaling 9,500 square feet of space will fill some of the unoccupied area at the Perry Hall Square Shopping Center. Salvo Auto Parts will fill four spaces near The Liquor Lady, and Shy Yogurt will lease a space near the bowling alley. The revitalization of Perry Hall's business district, and this shopping center in particular, has been one of my priorities in Perry Hall. I have remained in close contact with Kim co Realty since hosting a community meeting last year on the future of the Perry Hall Square Shopping Center."

The upcoming meetings for the PHIA are as follows: Thursday, Feb. 9: Please join the PHIA general meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Perry Hall Library. Representatives of the Baltimore County Fire Department and the Baltimore County Department of Public Works will be guest speakers to discuss emergency preparedness, snow removal and other related topics. Thursday, March 8: Please join the PHIA general meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Perry Hall Library. Guest speakers will be representatives of the Baltimore County Council. All meetings are held at the Perry Hall Public Library, 9685 Honey go Blvd., in Perry Hall.

Hope remains that the 12-year-old white Akita/Husky mix, Nolle, will be found and reunited with her family in New Jersey. She is not as predictable as anticipated and the final phase of her rescue has been delayed. If you spot this dog, please call the Rev. Lou Scute at 973-981-5003 and Belinda Hobson at 443-912-9505.

To share your news or announcement in the Perry Hall/Kingsville area, please send mail to write2shell@yahoo.com or phone 443-286-5881.